In fact, more than 15,000 temperature records were smashed in March, as shown in this video from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As usual, it's the East Coast's fault. The balmy climatic average is due largely to the higher-than-normal temperatures that clobbered the eastern two-thirds of the states.

Usually in the third month, we're still shoveling snow, clad in puffy coats and bulky boots, trudging down the sidewalks like giant marshmallows. But across the board, the average was 51.1 degrees fahrenheit, 8.6 points higher than the 20th century monthly average. [NOAA via Business Insider]